Analysis
Please find below the most recent in-depth analysis pieces from CriticalThreats.org.
Taliban Violence Mars Pakistan's ElectionsThe Taliban's impact on elections in Pakistan has already been clearly visible. Its attacks have, intentionally or otherwise, helped amplify the voice of conservative parties that claim to seek to part Pakistan from its alliance with the U.S. and to open peace talks with the Taliban.
Pakistan voted on May 11, 2013 in general elections that saw former two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif emerge victorious. The polls are a significant departure from Pakistan's military coup-riddled history. While polls were adjudged "relatively fair," and benefitted from record a turnout, major instances of voter fraud in Pakistan's main metropolis of Karachi caused voting to be suspended and new polls scheduled.
Al Qaeda and its Affiliates in 2013Al Qaeda’s threat to the United States did not end with Osama bin Laden.
The Peril of Sequestration Sequestration has done material harm to America’s national security at a dangerous moment. The United States is putting itself, its allies, and the world order that serves America so well at great risk in a fit of absentmindedness. It is past time to start paying attention again to the consequences of this policy on our security.
This map shows the diplomatic appointments decreed in Yemen April 10, 2013.
This chart shows the connections between the newly-appointed members of Yemen's Chancellery of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
This chart shows the six Republican Guard brigades transferred to Yemen's Defense Reserve Forces.
This map shows the locations of Yemen's new Military Districts, which were announced in December 2012.
The Yemeni National Transitional Government yesterday issued eight decrees that are aimed at restructuring and unifying this weakened Yemeni military. It will be important to watch whether powerbrokers within the security forces accept the new decisions and whether the Yemeni security forces become a truly reliable partner in the fight against AQAP.
Leaving in 2014Announcing a minimal post-2014 military presence will make any sensible counterterrorism strategy impossible. It would repeat the mistake made after the Soviet withdrawal of imagining that Afghanistan no longer mattered to American security.
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